Connecting business. Building understanding. Advancing peace.

November 14, 2026Source: CLA Emirates

UAE Federal Tax Authority Issues Due Diligence Rules for Input VAT Claims

The UAE Federal Tax Authority has released Public Clarification VATP048, outlining due diligence procedures businesses must complete prior to claiming input VAT. Under Article 54 bis of the UAE VAT Law, tax authorities can reject VAT deductions linked to supply chain tax evasion. Companies are required to verify supplier details and repeat supplier onboarding evaluations at least once every 12 months.

November 14, 2026Source: Emirates News Agency

GPSSA Clarifies Pension Contribution Calculation Rules for Private Sector Employers

The UAE General Pension and Social Security Authority issued an operational directive detailing monthly pension calculations for insured Emirati employees. For private sector employers, monthly contributions must remain pegged to the January contribution salary baseline for the entire calendar year. The authority cautioned that inaccurate reporting or late payments via the Ma'ashi portal will incur financial penalties.

November 14, 2026Source: https://internationalfinance.com/

UAE Projected to Lead World in Per Capita Solar Generation by 2031

The International Energy Agency projects the UAE will surpass Australia to become the world's largest generator of solar photovoltaic electricity per capita by 2031. Generation in the country is forecast to exceed 4,000 kWh per person, driven by clean energy target upgrades and large-scale solar projects. China, Australia, Oman, and Qatar also feature among the top global economies in per capita solar metrics.

November 14, 2026Source: Marine Insight

Oil Tanker Struck by Projectile Off UAE Coast, 22 Crew Evacuated Safely

A Liberia-flagged crude oil tanker, MT Dominica Prosperity, was struck by a projectile off the UAE port of Mina Saqr on November 11, 2026. The UAE Coast Guard safely evacuated all 22 crew members, including 19 Indian nationals, with no injuries reported. Maritime agencies reported an engine room fire roughly 14 nautical miles northwest of Ras Al Khaimah, while the source of the projectile remains unconfirmed.

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November 14, 2026Source: Emirates News Agency

UAE Declares 2 and 3 December 2026 Private-Sector Holiday for Eid Al Etihad

The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has announced that 2 and 3 December 2026 will be paid public holidays for the private sector. The circular marks the country's 55th Eid Al Etihad across mainland and free zone jurisdictions. Employers requiring staff to work during this period must provide compensatory rest days or statutory overtime pay.

Policy & Legal Updates

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Business registration · Investment · Taxation · Customs · Trade · Financial regulation · Employment · Visas · Free-zone policies

November 14, 2026Source: Tass & Hamjit

UAE Federal Tax Authority Issues 2026 Decision on Employee Expense VAT Recovery

The UAE Federal Tax Authority has issued Decision No. 17 of 2026 setting compliance requirements for recovering input VAT on employee benefits provided free of charge. Recovery is permitted across six designated categories, provided expenses are supported by contractual terms or documented corporate policies. Businesses are required to maintain verifiable documentation proving a strictly commercial purpose.

Federal Tax Authority
United Arab Emirates
Final rule

November 14, 2026Source: Crowe

Crowe UAE Analyzes Strategic Impact of Central Bank Open Finance Framework

Crowe UAE published an analysis of the Central Bank of the UAE's Open Finance Regulation as the sector moves toward operational adoption. The initial phase encompasses banks, foreign bank branches, and insurers, with infrastructure connected via Al Tareq, run by Nebras Open Finance. The firm highlights that open finance decouples data storage from customer relationships, creating new opportunities in account-to-account payments and onboarding.

Central Bank of the UAE
United Arab Emirates
Final rule

November 14, 2026Source: Gulf Business

UAE Announces Three-Day Eid Al Etihad Holiday for Federal Government Employees

The UAE has declared a three-day official holiday for federal government employees to mark the country's 55th Eid Al Etihad. The break runs from Wednesday, December 2, to Friday, December 4, 2026, creating a five-day weekend. Federal entities will resume official working hours on Monday, December 7, 2026.

Federal Authority for Government Human Resources
United Arab Emirates
Effective December 2, 2026
Final rule

China–UAE News

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November 14, 2026Source: Yancheng Municipal People's Government

Yancheng Delegation Visits UAE While Hong Kong Dubai ETO Marks Five Years

An official delegation from Yancheng visited the UAE to advance trade, technology, and financial ties, meeting with regional conglomerates and Abu Dhabi Global Market. Concurrently, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai marked its fifth anniversary, highlighting an 8.2 percent average annual growth in bilateral trade.

November 14, 2026Source: Automotive News

BYD Sets 312 MPH Production Car Record in Abu Dhabi Amid F1 Talks

Chinese automaker BYD's luxury division, Yangwang, has set a new world speed record of 312.66 mph (503.17 km/h) with its all-electric U9 Xtreme on a closed highway in Abu Dhabi. The feat earned recognition from the FIA and Guinness World Records as the fastest production car in a single-direction run. The milestone coincides with advancing discussions between motorsport authorities and BYD regarding a potential entry into Formula 1.

November 14, 2026Source: Maaal

Aramco Trading Sells Khafji Crude Off Fujairah to Chinese Refiners

Aramco Trading sold approximately seven million barrels of Khafji crude oil to refiners in China and South Korea. Chinese firms PetroChina, Shenghong Petrochemical, and Dongming Petrochemical purchased two million barrels each for delivery via ship-to-ship transfer off Fujairah, UAE.

November 14, 2026Source: The National

Dewa Reports Record Profit and Partners With Shanghai Electric for Global Projects

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority reported record nine-month earnings supported by rising domestic demand. Its international arm has also agreed to partner with China's Shanghai Electric to explore power and water investments globally.

Industry News

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November 14, 2026Source: 36Kr

Finance & Investment

Hong Kong Tops Dubai in Q3 Ultra-Luxury Property Sales Value at $1.58 Billion

Hong Kong recorded $1.58 billion in ultra-luxury property transactions across 78 deals in the third quarter of 2026, overtaking Dubai in sales value for the first time since 2022, according to Knight Frank. Dubai remained the global leader by transaction count with 86 deals totaling $1.57 billion. Across the 12 tracked markets, sales of properties priced above $10 million totaled 470 transactions, down 19% quarter-on-quarter.

November 14, 2026Source: Crypto News

Finance & Investment

U.S. Lawmakers Scrutinize Advanced Chip Exports and UAE Crypto Ties

U.S. lawmakers are examining advanced chip export controls toward China alongside reported UAE investments in the Trump family's cryptocurrency project, World Liberty Financial. According to Crypto News, an investor linked to UAE National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan reportedly agreed to acquire a 49% stake in World Liberty Financial for $500 million. World Liberty Financial and the White House have denied that commercial ties influenced federal chip export decisions, and no findings have established wrongdoing.

November 14, 2026Source: Gulf News

Finance & Investment

UAE Attracts Record $48.3 Billion FDI, Outpacing OECD in Job Creation Rate

The UAE drew a record $48.3 billion in foreign direct investment in 2025, accounting for 3.1 percent of global flows, according to a report by White Paper Media Consulting. Between 2019 and 2023, the UAE generated 2,816 jobs per $1 billion of greenfield investment, roughly 21 percent above the OECD average. The findings benchmarked the nation's progress under its National Investment Strategy 2031, which targets Dh240 billion in annual inflows.